misdiagnosis

noun

mis·​di·​ag·​no·​sis ˌmis-ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs 

-əg-

plural misdiagnoses ˌmis-ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-ˌsēz 

-əg-

: an incorrect diagnosis

Misdiagnosis can easily occur unless the veterinarian is alert to the possibility of Lyme disease.

—Suzanne Clothier et al.

The court also stated that experts can be sued for negligence resulting from their misdiagnoses.

—Mark Hansen

Examples of misdiagnosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are several reasons why a medical misdiagnosis happens. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

There is reason to hope the MS misdiagnosis problem could get better. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 21 Oct. 2026

Additionally, improper application of diagnostic criteria, and that fact that MS symptoms can resemble those of other conditions, can sometimes lead to misdiagnosis. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

And then there’s the psychological impact of an MS misdiagnosis. — Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misdiagnosis

• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis
• diagnosis
• ecchymosis
• exostosis

Medical Definition

misdiagnosis

noun

mis·​di·​ag·​no·​sis (ˌ)mis-ˌdī-ig-ˈnō-səs 

plural misdiagnoses -ˌsēz 

: an incorrect diagnosis